title: Polycythemia in an infant secondary to granulocyte transfusions.
abstract: Granulocyte transfusions may be useful for neutropenic pediatric patients with refractory bacterial or fungal infections. Many potential adverse sequelae associated with granulocyte transfusions are well recognized, including febrile reactions, fluid overload, alloimmunization, and lung injury. Other potential adverse sequelae, however, are less well known. This case report describes an infant with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis who developed polycythemia (hemoglobin 10-17.6 g/dl) following four daily transfusions of 20 ml/kg of apheresis collected, steroid stimulated donor granulocytes. Expanded knowledge of potential risks of transfused granulocytes will allow for rapid recognition of transfusion-related complications, should they occur.
authors.affiliation: Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Olufolake
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adisa
authors.forename: Jeanne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hendrickson
authors.forename: Courtney K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: Howard M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Katzenstein
authors.forename: Cassandra D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Josephson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D017708:Leukocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000209:etiology*